Hiking in Shenandoah National Park 17iv05

[rootofnewt]

Yesterday, nothingoth, aleiphein, and eilonwy joined explodingcat and myself on our weekly outing to the mountains.

On the way to pick up eilonwy, explodingcat spotted a bear in a tree off of US250. Naturally, I made a quick u-turn so that we could all see it and so that nothingoth could take pictures. Very cool.

Anyhow, we absconded with Jenna and headed up 340 to US33 and Swift Run Gap. Our trail for the day was the Bearfence Mountain, which we hiked with nothingoth last year

Anyhow, we spotted one blooming bloodroot on the trail, but it was otherwise flower-free. We stopped off at the first viewpoint and enjoyed what it had to offer After getting thoroughly chilled from the (warm, but brisk) wind, we headed back to the trail for the infamous rock scramble.

The view from the top was outstanding--very little haze since it's still early in the year. We could see pretty darn far! The top of Bearfence provides of the few 360° views in the whole park.

Chad and Jenna, at different point of the same trail. Tom, Chad, and Christen descending--some more quickly than others. Yep, still more to climb.

After we finished Bearfence, we realized it was still early and we wanted more. So we headed off toward Big Meadows. We stopped at the wayside so the boys could buy MEAT. I bought a wildflower guide to the blueridge mountains at the museum--it will be perfect until I can find my Audubon guide.

Anyhow, we decided to hike Dark Hollow Falls. It was an easy hike down and a perilous and tiring trek back up, of course, but well worth it. I saw coltsfoot, cutleaf toothwort, liverwort (hepatica), and leaves for many things which aren't yet flowering (violets, canada violet, columbine, rue, lousewort, ginger). The trillium and all the rest should be up in a few weeks. We stopped to rest on the way up, favoring the big dripping rock, of course.

We took the long way home, staying on the drive and watching the sun set as we drove.

Comments

[elnigma.livejournal.com]

Dark Hollow Falls is a beautiful hike. I haven't been there in years and years. Glad you went and had fun. :)

[jurisenpai.livejournal.com]

Thank you for reminding me why I have to pry the boyfriend away from his underground computer lair and up into the mountains once in a while!

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Oh, yes--you must drag him out often! I imagine more wildflowers could be found by heading south. Bloodroot is visible many places. I saw a lot of toothwort from Roundtop mountain until about Trayfoot Mountain while heading south, too. Plenty of serviceberry in that section of SNP, too.

In a week or two, the spring wildflower show will really be gearing up--it's great, even if you don't particularly like flowers. Wildflowers are a good excuse to slow down while getting back into summertime shape. ;)

[jurisenpai.livejournal.com]

I did drag him out last week, but not enough was blooming and it still felt very wintery.

I will mark the appearance of the spring wildflowers on my calendar. :)

[krasota.livejournal.com]

Last year, on the first of May (http://www.livejournal.com/users/krasota/700396.html), there were quite a few flowers. Most of those species are *just* showing their first two leaves right now. I'm all bouncy in anticipation.

[thekdog.livejournal.com]

awesome pics.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

thank you!

If you ever feel like venturing westward, let me know.

[thekdog.livejournal.com]

I would love to be on top of a mountain, haven't odne it in nearly a year (and that was at a funeral, so Idon't think it counts) but my schedule is very tight, so perhaps y'all should let me know when you're going.

[chorus-of-chaos.livejournal.com]

a couple of my favorite field books..

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/039592622X/qid=1113896822/sr=8-3/ref=pd_csp_3/103-8727167-8395803?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0879040556/qid=1113896863/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/103-8727167-8395803 though I have an old old old copy...would love the updated one.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0395988144/qid=1113896926/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/103-8727167-8395803?v=glance&s=books


I used to love hiking around Kentucky with my aunt and wildcrafting herbs and stuff, and did a lot of in in Indiana too. Was looking forward to it here (all new stuff to explore!) but have been to ill to get out and snoop much...it bites, because I miss my yearly treat of roasted cat tail roots. :(

[authenticlife.livejournal.com]

We are doing the inevitable trip up Humpback Rocks again, kids in tow. It's hard to find hikes suitable for lugging two rugrats along under the age of four.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

There are books specifically on Hiking the Blue Ridge/Shenandoah with children and there are a few trail sin SNP which are kid suitable. I certainly wouldn't do humpback with toddlers--it's a rugged climb and strenuous--and carrying kids makes it more so. The Nature Trail at Big Meadows, the one at Lewis, and the Traces trail Dickey Ridge are all small child suitable. Limberlost is no longer full of hemlocks, but it's still wheelchair accessible (ie, stroller friendly). Dark Hollow is a long haul back *up*, but I see folks doing it with small kids all the time.